USC’s Juju Watkins (knee) will miss the entire 2025-26 season due to injury
The USC Trojans women’s basketball team was hit by devastating news ahead of the 2025-26 season. All-American Juju Watkins will recover from the ACL tear, missing out on the whole year.
The program is hopeful and Watkins will be able to return later this season. These dreams end on Sunday. She played against Mississippi Bulldogs in the NCAA Championship in March 2025. Unfortunately, Juju Watkins will miss the entire season due to injury.
Juju Watkins Will Recover from ACL Tear, Missing the Whole 2025-26 Season
Juju Watkins Will Miss the Whole 2025-26 Season đ
(H/t @SwishCultures_ ) pic.twitter.com/ddlku3yfi4
– nbacentral (@thedunkcentral) September 29, 2025
The Juju Watkins of the University of Southern California is one of the most popular names in women’s college basketball. In her first two seasons, Watkins was two-time National and one-time National Player of the Year. In 2024-25, Watkins led the Trojans to a 28-3 record and a No. 1 seed in the NCAA Championship. However, Juju Watkins suffered an ACL tear in the second round of the game against Mississippi State. USC will be eliminated later in Elite 8.
While it’s hard to miss the entire season with injuries, Juju Watkins took a clever approach. Her career is far ahead. When she ends at college, Watkins can bring her talents to the WNBA. We’ve seen other stars like Caitlin Clark quickly adjust from college. The same could happen to Watkins when Watkins’ college career ended.
Juju Watkins thanked her fans when she announced on social media that she would miss the upcoming season.
âIâm so glad to continue working to be stronger.â đ (by @jujubballin) pic.twitter.com/1vuddamfes
– ESPN (@epn) September 29, 2025
In 2024-25, Juju Watkins averaged 23.9 points, 3.4 assists, 6.8 rebounds, 2.2 steals and 1.8 blocks. Her 23.9 points led the top 10 points. If Watkins is available in the 2025-26 season, USC will be a national championship contender. Without her, the Trojansâ title path was not clear. However, the team still has talent to help lead.
Kennedy Smith is expected to make a major leap for the University of Southern California (USC). Her 9.5 points per game was third in the team last season. The Trojans will not have the highest scoring player among the 2024-25 season. Jazzy Davidson is a highly praised recruit dedicated to the U.S. California. The freshman guard may become a USC goalkeeper in 2025-26. She is an all-American player in the 2025 class and McDonald’s.
